Bush family e-mails are hacked

Feb. 8, 2013
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The presidents Bush / Carolyn Kaster, AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

A hacker has obtained e-mails from friends and family of former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, putting them in the public domain.

Some of the e-mails contain catty comments about another former president, Bill Clinton, according to The Smoking Gun website:

"In a December 27 e-mail to his four siblings, Jeb Bush saluted his ailing father's 'kindness and good nature' and pointed to 'how kind he was with President Clinton and he helped restore his sordid reputation. A very tough thing to do but with kindness, dad probably helped Bill Clinton than anything he himself has done.'

"Bush, who wrote at a time his father was in intensive care (and amid media reports that the ex-president was on his death bed), added, 'Might be tough to say it that way in a eulogy with President 42 there.'"

Other e-mails also indicate that family members were thinking of a possible funeral when H.W. Bush was hospitalized last year.

Reports The Smoking Gun:

"In a December 26 e-mail to his siblings, George W. Bush wrote that he was 'thinking about eulogy' and solicited stories that best illustrated their father's sweet nature, favorite jokes, and acts of kindness. 'Hopefully I'm jumping the gun,' noted Bush, who added, 'But since the feeling is that you all would rather me speak than bubba, please help.'

"The mention of 'bubba' is apparently a reference to Clinton, whom Bush has referred to as a 'brother' due to his close relationship with George H. W. Bush."

The Smoking Gun also reports another hacked e-mail in which current White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett forwarded a message to the ailing senior Bush from President Obama: "Michelle and I haven't wanted to impinge on you while you are recuperating, but please know that we are thinking of you and the entire family."